PHOTO OF MELANIE: JON ASHFORD
Like so many people, I often struggle with sleep. It could be my age, but sometimes it’s work or occasionally my partner, who can be on call during the night. You can probably pinpoint the reason behind your own sleepless nights, but finding solutions is the tricky bit. We asked Dr Neil Stanley, a long-term expert in this area, to dispel myths and give us some practical solutions for better sleep (see our special section). I’ve already tried one of his recommendations and registered with the online sleep improvement programme sleepstation.org.uk. It’s based on cognitive behavioural therapy, clinically proven to help, and free on the NHS website. Just don’t stay up late filling in the initial 15-minute questionnaire like I did, then muse over your results instead of relaxing into a deep sleep!
Our main cover story highlights those life events that leave you piling on the pounds. Dietitian Juliette Kellow covers the key pressure points we may face even with happy changes, and offers practical diet advice (p16). As always, nutrition editor Amanda Ursell has devised a delicious diet plan. Gut health expert Dr Megan Rossi recently recommended we think beyond 5-a-day and aim for 30 different gut-healthy foods a week (including pulses, nuts, seeds and wholegrains). Amanda calculates her weekly plan has 60! Write and tell us what you think of this issue or, to offer us regular feedback, join our panel at healthyfood.co.uk/readerpanel.